City High's Thompson looks for playoff redemption

IOWA CITY - The ink on his right bicep is interesting. You ask Ronald Thompson about it.

"Misunderstood" says the Iowa City High senior running back's tattoo.

"Most people don't really understand where I'm coming from. How I work," Thompson said. "So I just put that on my arm."

He is asked where he is coming from, which brings a smile to his face.

"I come from Chicago," Thompson said. "I've been down here many years, since sixth grade. Basically you could say I've lived in Iowa my whole life.

"Really, Ronald is a nice-going guy. He comes to play football every day. If he doesn't have a game, he's ready for practice. He's got great intensity, a great guy to be around. I like to joke around a lot, but I've also got a serious side to me. It can switch on and off quickly."

You notice that as the conversation continues.

The 6-foot-1, 203-pound bull has rushed for 2,906 yards and 38 touchdowns his two full years on the City High varsity. That included a school-record 356-yard effort earlier this season in the "Battle of the Boot" against Iowa City West.

"He's definitely done better at becoming a north-south runner," City High Coach Dan Sabers said. "He's doing some things we like him to do."

Such as stay out of trouble. Thompson was suspended for City High's Class 4A state playoff semifinal game and championship game last season for an unspecified violation of school conduct policy.

City High won its semifinal but lost to West Des Moines Dowling in overtime for the title, 38-31. You think Thompson would surely have made a difference in that game.

You get the impression he thinks so, too.

"I wanted to cry every day," he said. "I started working hard every day, preparing, ever since then. I said last year that I was going to come out with a vengeance this year, so that's what I've tried to do. Tremendously. I felt like the team was riding on me (last year)."

Thompson goes uncharacteristcally silent when asked what his transgressions were.

"I really don't want to talk about that," he said.

That's cool. The past is the past, mistakes are mistakes, and hopefully you learn from them. Life lessons, as they say.

City High takes a 7-2 record and No. 5 seed into this year's 4A playoffs, drawing Cedar Rapids Kennedy (5-4) in Wednesday night's first round. This is a dangerous group of Little Hawks, one of at least a handful of teams from this side of the state you could see making a long postseason run.

Thompson - who is uncertain of his college plans - will have to be a focal point for that run. He's ready.

"I feel great," he said. "I've got a great team with me, a great offensive line. My coaches are great."

"I think he was humbled by (last season)," Sabers said. "He has worked hard and done the things he needed to do. He's had a great season."